by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, management science was the 40th most popular major nationwide with 23,510 degrees awarded. This represents a 16.7% increase in management science degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 19,595.
Our 2023 Best Management Science Schools ranking analyzes 210 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for management science students. Explore this or one of our many other custom management science rankings further below.
A major in management science prepares you for careers in which talking to others to convey information effectively is crucial. Required skills include using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
management science degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Once you obtain your degree, additional management science certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are many different management science degree levels. Management Science programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest management science degree you can get. Different management science degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to management science, with approximately 29.6% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for management science workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 25.0% |
| Master’s Degree | 22.5% |
| Doctoral Degree | 17.6% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 10.4% |
| Some College Courses | 7.5% |
Most workers in management science have at least a master's degree. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in management science have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the management science career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your management science degree? Management Science careers are expected to grow 8.7% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to management science.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | 2,468,300 | 9.1% |
| Chief Executives | 296,800 | -3.9% |
| Operations Research Analysts | 145,300 | 27.5% |
| Business Professors | 123,000 | 18.0% |
As you might expect, salaries for management science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for management science graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers management science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Chief Executives | $200,140 |
| General and Operations Managers | $123,880 |
| Business Professors | $103,330 |
| Operations Research Analysts | $88,350 |
With over 585 different management science degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased management science school rankings to help you with this.
Management Science is one of 3 different types of Management Sciences & Quantitative Methods programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 13,371 |
| Business Statistics | 4,295 |
| Actuarial Science | 2,206 |
